Morgan State University’s Rising Nursing Program Receives 10-Year Reaccreditation

CCNE, the Foremost Nursing Ed Accrediting Agency, Reaffirms Morgan’s Continued Excellence in Education and Preparing Students for the Nursing Profession

BALTIMORE — Following a comprehensive and exhaustive review of the programmatic offerings, preparation initiatives, and real-world training of Morgan State University’s undergraduate nursing students, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has extended the accreditation of the School of Community Health and Policy’s (SCHP) Department of Nursing baccalaureate degree program for a maximum 10-year term. The reaccreditation of Nursing’s undergraduate program comes at an opportune time in the department’s ascendency as enrollment interest remains high, and FY24 graduates posted a first-time pass rate of 90.3%. The term of this most recent round of accreditation extends until 2033.

“As the Dean presiding over the pre-licensure nursing program here at Morgan, I am beyond proud to have achieved the full accreditation from CCNE. Our leadership team, the nursing faculty and staff, as well as students, have worked diligently to garner this mark of excellence,” said Kim Sydnor, Ph.D., dean of the School of Community Health and Policy. “Congratulations to all of them. As the state and nation stand in need and ready for good nurses, Morgan is doing its part to contribute. This accreditation, along with our stellar pass rate, assures the growth of a diverse, well-prepared nursing workforce.”

Accreditation involves a comprehensive assessment of an educational institution’s programs using nationally accepted standards through a non-governmental peer review process. The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at Morgan received its initial accreditation from CCNE in 2018. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes CCNE, which operates as the independent branch of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), as the foremost authority in accrediting the country’s various nursing education programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, and certificate levels. The educational standards CCNE established are designed to foster continuous quality improvement in nursing education while evaluating the academic preparation of individuals entering the nursing profession.

Morgan’s Department of Nursing is included among the more than 800 nursing schools nationwide committed to voluntary self-regulation and evaluation according to CCNE standards and procedures. CCNE is also the accreditation agency for Morgan’s Master of Science (Nursing) degree, while the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

“Receiving the maximum ten-year term for reaccreditation is a testament to the hard work that the faculty, staff, students, and alumni have demonstrated over the years,” said Maija Anderson, DNP, APRN, chair of the Department of Nursing at Morgan State University. “This achievement would not have been possible without the support of our clinical partners and University leadership. We're excited to be moving forward with advancing our vision of excellence in nursing.”

During the fiscal year 2024, graduates of Morgan’s nursing program posted a 90.3% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination, a still impressive follow-up since Morgan nursing graduates achieved a 100% first-time pass rate in 2018. The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam) is the testing standard used to qualify a nurse’s knowledge and ability in patient care upon graduation from an accredited nursing program. 

Formally established in 2008, Morgan’s Nursing Program was created in response to the national nursing shortage, the underrepresentation of minorities in health care, and the healthcare disparities between Baltimore's residents and the larger society. This past fall, the Department of Nursing was awarded a $4.4 million contract from Baltimore City Public Schools to provide pediatric nursing services support within health suites at five schools throughout the city. The health services initiative is part of a large-scale, multi-institutional collaborative to source the expertise and professional health services of the leading university nursing programs in Baltimore.

To further support and advance the efforts of its health-focused programs, including Nursing, Morgan State University constructed a new 208,000-square-foot, $171-million Health and Human Services Center. The state-of-the-art building features innovative classrooms and labs, offices, demonstration rooms, and community spaces. It will be operational for the start of the Fall 2024 semester.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 academic degrees and certificate programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Media Contacts:

Cheryl Stewart or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022